Mark Staniszewski; also known as Mark Stan and "Judo-Mark" (born August 1973) is an American born martial artist who is considered one of the most experienced grapplers in America. He is the first athlete to win Pan American Championships in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo;[2] and he is a Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee.[3]

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Staniszewski was born August 19, 1973 in Brooklyn, New York to parents Thaddeus and Joan Staniszewski. He moved at an early age to East Meadow on Long Island, where he was raised alongside his siblings Michael and Jan. Staniszewski was first introduced into the martial arts at the age of 5, studying various styles of karate; and Tae Kwon Do under 1988 Olympic coach Yeon Hee Park. Staniszewski began his grappling career wrestling in Junior High School, going undefeated while in middle school. An All-County wrestler at East Meadow High School, Staniszewski was named co-team captain by Hall of Fame Coach John Hamilton. In addition to wrestling, Staniszewski played varsity football and track and field for the East Meadow High School Jets. Staniszewski went on to wrestle at Cortland State under Olympic alternate Gene Neiman, earning a starting position as a freshman on the dual-meet national team. Staniszewski's wrestling career was cut short due to two separate season ending knee injuries sustained during matches. After surgeries and rehabilitation, Staniszewski returned to competitive sports by securing a starting position as "left prop" for an all-English rugby team while studying abroad at the University of North London, England. There, he was introduced to the sport of judo by one of his teammates. He graduated with a degree in Sociology as a member of the Alpha Kappa Delta national honor society. After college, Staniszewski continued practicing judo and in 1996, he began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the garage of childhood friend and former UFC champion Matt Serra. Finding them to be the perfect complement, Staniszewski trained and competed in both disciplines for over two decades. His innovative and unique grappling style has earned him international accolades in Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Submission Grappling and Wrestling. He is widely regarded as one of the most experienced grapplers in America.[4][5][6]

Tragedy struck in February 2013, when Staniszewski's 14 month old son Jake was diagnosed with a rare pediatric cancer (Stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma). The judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling communities rallied around the Staniszewski family to lend their support. A series of seminars and events were conducted by elite athletes Joe D"Arce, Alex and Christopher Vamos, Matt Serra, Eddie "The Truck" Gordan, Steven Sciandra, Joe Scarola, Nick Kossor, Tony Sangimino, Brad Bolen, Hannah Martin, Mansher Khera and many more came out to support their friend and colleague. The Staniszewski's fight for Jake took them from the United States to Germany in search of a novel and experimental treatment plan. During this plight, Staniszewski received news of his younger brother Michael's unexpected passing due to a sudden illness. Sadly, on August 4, 2014, less than nine months after his brother's death, Staniszewski's son Jake (age 2), lost his battle with cancer.,[7]Jake's Story

Staniszewski returned to teaching martial arts in 2015 and founded the "Team Believe" martial arts academies in his son Jake's name. The Long Island-based schools offer free lifetime classes to any child with cancer or any parents/siblings of a child battling cancer.

Staniszewski also returned to competition in 2015, entering the Police and Fire World Championships. With over 12,000 athletes from 70 different countries, Staniszewski won silver medals in both Judo (IJF) and Submission Grappling (IBJJF).

Two months after the tournament, in October 2015, Staniszewski suffered a life-threatening heart attack while teaching classes that would seemingly end his martial arts career; but in 2017, Staniszewski entered the Police and Fire World Games once again, earning a silver medal in judo and the World Championship title in Submission Grappling. [1][2][8][9]